While not a exactly a starsiege based story, it does have a few starsiege elements. Enjoy.
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Time Served
Dedicated to My brother who’s in Kosova and every other person in the Armed Forces across the world, may you all come home safe.


“....And when he gets to heaven, to St. Peter he will tell. ‘One more soldier reporting sir, I’ve served my time in hell.”

Gray clouds covered the sk;, threatening to rain. It would be appropriate for the scene that laid ahead. People surround a dark grey gravestone, a funeral was taking place. A flag was just being folded into a triangle, before given to the Father and Mother of the deceased. I began to wonder how they must be feeling. There was just no way I could understand their loss. I never lost anyone I cared deeply about, sure I’ve lost people I knew, but none I cared deeply about. I went to their funerals, and felt horrible, but I never really could say I knew them well.

This one was different though, this time I knew the person very well. He was one hell’va guy. An even better soldier, and Herc pilot. I’m still not entirely sure how he died, but I do know it was while helping his comrades. He got some sort of medal too but it did little to ease the parents pain.

War is horrible, I’ve been through it twice now, and it doesn’t get any easier each time you do it. You friends fall next to you, blood spurting from about a million gunshot wounds. Each time you see someone fall you body screams to get out of there, it’s a hard thing to withstand,.that urge to flee from that fight. And its that urge that can get yourself killed, or worst you buddies get killed because you weren’t there.

I stopped my thinking to look over to the family. The sobbing was heartbreaking. The Father clearly looked troubled, no one could blame him as he fell to his knees in tears. I watched slowly as the Mother lower herself down to him and they both hugged and cried. I felt a few tears slip from my eyes as I saw the mans face. Its been so long since I’ve been able to let any tears slip. Seeing this strong, rugged man fall to his knees over the death of his son could bring anyone to tears.

Can you image if your son, daughter, brother, or sister died. Just to remember a simple thing as eating breakfast next to them would make you break down and weep. Or remembering watching a sports game, and watching the person you love laugh, smile and cheer. None of you can know till you get that letter from your government saying that your loved one died, protecting the world from evil. That his body was found laying in the mudded ground. Or that all they could find of him would hardly fill a match box. I do wish that you never have to go through this, through what this family is going though.

But, who’s to say that your son or daughter won’t be going off to some future war. Some war that the men in suits believe will help the country, or world. How did they get the choice to send young and innocent men and women to their death. You never see them on the front lines, holding their buddies entrails in with their bear hands, as the enemy comes towards them. Their not the ones getting shot for the cause that they give, good men and women like this dead boy here are the ones dying for their damnable cause. It makes me sick sometimes to think that they can sleep. This boy died while saving others, his Herc battered, and broken stood its ground. His weapons fired as if their was not tomorrow, and for him their wasn’t. Finally after the onslaught of Cybrid Herc afer Cybrid Herc he fell.

Some how I don’t think his last thoughts were pitting himself as he fell to his death. I really do believe his last though was. “I saved all I could. I hope they well be safe.” And if that was the dying words of this boy, then I do believe that we well not see a greater hero, least not in my time. One of these only comes along in great wars, and every time they seem to become a martyr for their country. Parades, medals, are nice, but none of that well bring him back. None of it will make the parents lives any easier.

The group is beginning to dissipate. God I was thinking though the whole ceremony, he didn’t deserve that. I pull the white rose from the top pocket of my jacket. I walked toward the casket and placed it gingerly on the top, saying a short prayer I walked away.

I felt the first few drops of rain splatter on my face. It was weird to see that the world didn’t stop for the lost of a human.

Not everyone would know about the deeds this boy had done, or the service he gave to his country, and for what he died for. Sure it would be on the news about this amazing boy, but in two weeks no one would be able to recall his name, his branch of service, or where he hailed from.

That is the worst thing to do to a fallen hero, to forget him. Everyone deserves to be remembered, but not one of the men and women who served deserves to be forgotten. While we sit comfortably at home, they are out there in the cold, darkness of night. Every last one of them fight to give use the life we have. Everyone of them serving in what they feel is their duty. No, they do not deserve to be forgotten.

The boy’s parents are now standing at the exit, thanking people for coming. I stop and look at them after they thanked me for coming. I slowly took the Fathers hand and put my other hand on the Mother’s shoulder.

“No don’t thank me it should be me, thanking you.So Thank you and I thank your son.”

With that I walked away from the graveyard, feeling bitter at the world after what I had seen in the eyes of the parents up close. They’ll never get over the loss. I do hope God watches over them.

I hope to God that none of you have to see what I have. I hope even more that you don’t lose anyone you care about. While your enjoying your holiday meals in the coming weeks, take heed to bless those men and women who are away during the holiday season. And as you slowly slip into your covers tonight, remember those who are sleeping on the ground, or in an abandon building in some far off country. Give thanks for them leaving their warm beds and families so that you could sleep in your bed and be with your families.

The End.